Shoot like a pro

Use these techniques to bring a professional edge to your video

Professional videographers have mastered the art of selecting the ideal camera move to enhance the message. Like pairing the perfect wine
with a meal, there are elements of
both art and science, and there is no
substitute for experience. And, like
white wine with fish, there are classic
pairings you should use to make your
productions more appetizing. Here
are some examples.

The pan
What: The camera moves on a horizontal plane left to right or vice versa.

When: Use it to delineate relationshipsbetween people or objects that are farapart. Or make your audience feel asthough they are part of the scene byfollowing an action rather than hav-ing it pass through the frame. Exam-ples: the beginning to the end of anassembly line or left/right on a meet-ing in progress. Slowing down thepan will emphasize size and scope.How: A tripod is highly recom-mended. Experiment with differentspeeds to judge what will work best.

The tilt
What: The camera angles up or down
without changing its position.

When: A tilt is a pan in a verticalplane. Use it to follow an action likea moving elevator or a hand beingraised. Tilts demonstrate distancerelationships, like from a mountainget a move onWatch as Suzanne Salvo shows you how to finesse your videography skills.

tip

Tilt up on an object or
a person to make your
subject appear more
imposing. Conversely,
when you start high and
tilt down, the subject will
take on less significance
and seem smaller and
thinner.